Anisa Makhlouf, wife of Hafez al-Assad had been growing more and more political in the past several weeks alongside her husband. Her front is something far less of a threat, however. With her fifth child, she has become far more concerned with the future of women like her across the country. True, the constitution claims to have equal rights for women but the religious laws in parts of the country disrupt this entirely despite the secular government.

She's since been on a writing binge in the comfort of her own home while nursing her two-month year old son Maher and has written some of the following words such as, "it takes a woman to usher in women's rights in Syria." She writes further, stating "the issue of a woman's right to safely walk down the street with no fear to harassment or molestation of any form is paramount. I will do whatever I can in whatever position I am in to see that this is enacted."

Days after letters to countless members of parliament with little result or response, she wrote to the General Union of Syrian Women and received a response, urging her to garner support from her husband. An official endorsement from the Minister of Defence is more than enough to take women's issues seriously in the political aisle.

So, she waited until her husband came home.

At 19:00 on the dot, Hafez returned from work back to his estate, settling in with his children and wife. A few hours into the evening, she explained to him the situation. Initially, he was hesitant but over the next two weeks until 3 days into Ramadan on 21 February, as the family were eating in the kitchen, the couple had another discussion on the topic.

"Please, let us drop this mess. It is not possible."

"How is it not possible to go out and make a visit? An endorsement? Even saying the right words, I could even write a letter for you-"

He rested his fork on the plate, glancing at his wife while his children sat there in silence. Mummy and daddy were arguing after all. He paused, looking at the wall and away from his wife for a few moments while chewing his food. "...fine." He said as he grabbed the glass of wine from the table, sipping at it. That

Flag of the Syrian Arab Republic

Ministry of Defence of Syria

22 February, 1968

One week into Ramadan, Minister of Defence Hafez al-Assad writes an address to all military personnel.

"It is paramount for women to be safe within our country. After what happened a few months ago, our citizens are scared. They are afraid and they want to know that their future is secured and that above all they are safe. How can we say we are powerful if our women can not safely walk down to the store? How can we say we are gracious if a woman is assaulted on the way to a mosque?

I say to all members of the military that acts of violence and prejudice against women of this country is one of the highest national concerns for Syrian and Baathist Future. Make it your personal responsibility to ensure that every citizen can feel safe in their homes, in their neighborhoods and in their communities."

After submitting the official address, he scheduled a visit with the GUSW, hopeful to make an official endorsement alongside its current President Saud al Abdallah for the next month.